Speaking with Evan Drellich of CSNNE.com on Saturday, Athletics third baseman Trevor Plouffe confirmed that the Red Sox had interest in signing him as a free agent during the offseason. In the end, Plouffe chose to ink a deal with Oakland because it presented a clearer path to playing time at the hot corner than Boston did at the time. “I wanted to play third base and [the A’s] came and right away and expressed their interest in that, and to me it was kind of a no-brainer,” said Plouffe, who’s on a one-year, $5.25MM contract. “I was going to come here and get a chance to start at third. Kind of after last year, not being able to play a ton of games, prove that I can stay healthy again — that was kind of the real selling point for me.” As Drellich notes, it turns out Plouffe would have had an opportunity to play had he signed with the Red Sox, whose third base options (including Pablo Sandoval) have dealt with injuries this season. Plouffe could still end up with the Red Sox around the trade deadline, Drellich adds, and the 30-year-old realizes it’s possible he’ll head elsewhere if the A’s aren’t in contention. “Of course. You can’t be naive about that fact,” acknowledged Plouffe, a .248/.318/.421 hitter in 148 plate appearances this season.
More from the American League:
- White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu, No. 1 prospect Yoan Moncada and manager Rick Renteria each played key roles in the team’s signing of highly touted outfield prospect Luis Robert, according to Dan Hayes of CSN Chicago. Like Robert, both Abreu and Moncada hail from Cuba, while Renteria is the only Spanish-speaking manager in the majors. The White Sox put together a video presentation for Robert which featured narration in Spanish from Renteria and appearances from Abreu and Moncada, both of whom encouraged Robert to join the franchise. The White Sox’s attitude toward Cuban-born players has impressed Abreu, who told Hayes through an interpreter, “The way this team has treated the Cuban players and the Latino players in general, that’s something that is important and I really, really appreciate it.”
- Red Sox left-hander David Price didn’t last long in his rehab start Friday, so he’ll make at least one more before rejoining the big club, manager John Farrell announced Saturday (via Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald). While Price “feels great physically,” per Farrell, he’s not stretched out to the team’s liking. Price, working his way back from a strained elbow, went two innings and threw 65 pitches in his initial start for Triple-A Pawtucket. That fell well short of the 85- to 90-pitch goal Boston had set for Price, who will take the hill again for Pawtucket on Wednesday.
- Chris Illitch is officially the controlling owner of the Tigers, having gotten approval from the league’s other 29 owners earlier this week, per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com (Twitter link). Illitch is taking over for his father, Mike Illitch, who passed away in February after a nearly 25-year run at the helm of the Tigers.
What a positive contribution for Price. He is likely to need even more time in the minors. “The team knows that I enjoy playing in Florida. As long as I am contributing to the organization I know that they are happy”.
Why did he only pitch 2 innings? Weather? Or was the plan for Price to go only 70 pitches?
Potentially better question: Is a guy that used 70 pitches to get through 2 innings really only one rehab start away from effectively rejoining a major league ball club?
It says right in the article 65 pitches is well short from the 85 to 90 the club goal for him. So clearly the plan was for him to go more
I think he was removed because of pain in his arm
I’m sure he pitched two innings because he got shelled
“while Renteria is the only Spanish-speaking manager in the majors”
Mackanin speaks Spanish. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/20150823_Inside_the_Phillies__No_language_barrier_for_Mackanin_in_diverse_clubhouse.html
So does Matheny
Bueno. Because MM sure can’t communicate in English.
Love it when people act like it’s more because the team offered the most money that the dude signed
“Renteria is the only Spanish-speaking manager in the majors.”
Not true. Mike Mathews speaks Spanish. And Tony LaRussa did when he managed the Cardinals before him. Not only that but several other current managers in the major leagues speak Spanish. Joe Maddon. Mike Scioscia, and Dust Baker being among them.
Renteria is not the only Spanish speaking manager.
He was probably trying to say that having a Latino manager helped. Some people don’t like to hear that, but the league might want to consider higher if more Latino managers, considering the population of the players. Having only 1 out of 30 is absurd.
Meant to say “hiring more…”
So with these Cubans they’ve signed and the Spanish manager and stuff, what’s their record in the last 5 years? The organization is terrible.
Stop trolling.
The MLB should shorten the season to 120 games so it’s warmer for them to play because they stink in April and May.
Chisoxcity, that’s all he knows how to do. He’s either trolling, or he’s Chicagos version of drunk uncle from Saturday Night Live.
Yet another over-hyped, over-paid Cuban bust in the making.
W
True
Do you have anything to back it up?
Dumb comment, theres so many Cubans having all various levels of success in MLB.
Or do you think that all Cubans must be All-Stars or else theyre a bust? Why do you think that? All races of people have the exact same varying levels of success.
Or are you just a butthurt Cardinals fan, showing why the rest of MLB hates the teams fanbase that calls itself “the best fans in baseball”, which is so disrespectful and disgusting to every other fan of any MLB team,
Geez.. sounds like someone is a little butt hurt if the BFIB.. let me guess you’re a reds fan or Brewers fan? Take a breath bro.. that dude above you never even said if was a Cards fan.
There absolutely will be prospects who will be busts. That is why you get as many as possible. I love the signing